This morning we woke and had a delicious breakfast at the hotel. We walked around our hotel, just a few blocks – enough to stretch our legs after a long day of flying. We met Nancy and Scott on the steps of our hotel, and Betty picked us all up to take us to the airport for our flight to the Galapagos. Fabricio, our guide, met us at the airport, took care of our bags and check in, and waited for our flights. When we arrived to the Galapagos we met the other three in our group, Rod and Barbara from New York, and their son Russel from California. A five minute drive had us at our hotel overlooking the bay with all the yachts floating in front of us. We went for a walk this afternoon to the Frigate Hill. We walked a little through town for a few minutes and then headed along the trail. We went to the highest point, where we got a great view of the little inlet below us (where we are kayaking to tomorrow) and all the way to Isla Lobo, or Kicker Rock, where we will be snorkeling later this week. We saw some blue-footed boobies, BIRDS, and sea lions playing in the water below us. The walk back was a little bit tricky, walking on uneven lava rocks in the near dark! Dinner was delicious, and afterwards, Fabricio took us all out to the beach in town so we could see the sea lion babies hanging out, waiting for their moms to return from hunting. Then we all went to a local bar where we had Caiparinas, a popular local drink made out of extremely sweet sugar cane liquor. Some headed back, but Fabricio, Russell and I took on some locals in pool – and managed to lose more than once.
The response from Adventure Life to my first inquiry was prompt and promising. I worked with Jamie Broeckel, Trip Planner, via text, email, and phone calls- always extremely responsive and thorough with information and explaining the process to arrange a private tour for me to Malaysia Borneo. Within about week, the booking was complete and I made decisions because of Jamie's great customer service , friendly manner, and overall competence on behalf of the company's travel expertise. Now I have an itinerary, additional Trip Planner Assistants, several links for vital information for traveling to Maylasia, etc. Still many details for Sept. trip, but now the heavy lifting is done and I can enjoy the rest of the anticipation and research!! Thanks Jamie- you are amazing!!!!
Susan Campo
2 days ago
The trip was not only memorable for the amount of animals we saw but also for the people and accommodations at the two camps where we stayed. Our first guide, BK, was a wealth of information about the animals, landscape and down to the plants and what they were used for. Everyday out was a learning experience with him. All the people at the camps were gracious and the food was excellent.
Our second camp in the Okavanga was just as good as the first as far as the staff, accommodations, food and animals. After our experience at the first camp we amazed that the high quality remained the same. Our guide, G, made sure we were able to enjoy every experience including a rush through the bush to witness a cheetah and an ensuing hunt that he heard over his radio.
In both camps there were enough guides out that if they saw something the other guides were informed which helped in seeing as much as possible. It was also nice that the concessions were large enough that we did not have vehicles following each other throughout the day.
Normally there is always something in a trip of this length that we think could be improved upon but this is the rare case where we cannot think of anything. From the time we left the States to when we returned it was one of the most hassle free vacations we took.
Perhaps emphasizing the use of the laundry facilities at the camps would be useful because of the luggage restrictions would be the only thing I can think of as an improvement to future clients.
Kenneth Dropek
3 days ago
Mary was so pleasant and professional. She made sure all of our questions were answered.